Jeff Barton did come through and there were some pros there. Here is Parks and Brett with my son Alex. Props to all you guys for the work you did to get this event going. From overcoming bad weather to the great food and raffle prizes it all went great. I think almost everybody went home with something.

What an amazing 1st annual New Jersey East West Wake Fest. I finally got to meet and talk with some good people that I have wanted to meet for a while. Like Brian and Annette, Pops Lef,Jeff Z and his friend(whose name I forgot,sorry) from Mass., Craig from Surf and Off shore, and the Micah(cool dude).Elias and crew nice to meet you guys as well.

A big thank you to Alex,Doreen, Doreen's son and his girlfriend,JB,Brian,Dave,all the sponsors and the township of Bordentown for making yesterday happen.

Thanks to Parks and Brett for coming out being part of our event.

Yesterday the weather was horrible but the event was cool, the people I met were great and I PLAYED POKER WITH PARKS BONIFAY. How could you top that?

Nice to meet everyone this weekend, we had a blast "debris dodging" (may have found a new sport!). Hopefully this will become a yearly event, and if any help is needed planning the next put me down as someone to count on! If anyone travels to the Poconos and is up in the Lake Wallenpaupak area drop me a note!

Yeah, leaving Thursday night for a comp in SC. Long haul for a quick weekend, but we are sitting first in points for that series so we need to go. Plus our sponsors help us out A LOT. We will be competing in Hazleton PA the weekend of June 24&25 if you want to check it out in person. It is pretty wild to see! You will leave there baffled at where we take our vehicles, and the punishment we put them through!

WOW, Saturday was an epic day! Yes the weather was not the best anyone has experienced but there were so many factors that made it great that I really don't think anyone cared about the 2 downpours we had!

First off, a million thanks go out to; Alex Kinon, Jeff Barton & Diamond Dave - for putting together a great event. Swag, food and a great Emcee really made the day.

Extra huge thanks to Brett Eisenhower and Parks Bonifay for coming to NJ to spread the stoke of the sport. Brett toughed out the Deleware river conditions to demo his moves. Parks toughed out our NJ ways and hung out with the crowd regardless of any pain his knee might have been giving him.(If you guys read this thread) Your efforts both were very appreciated and admired. Like it says in one of the more recent issues of Wakeboard Magazine, "The Pros are accessible".

It was a pleasure to see a bunch of you again, and to meet for the first time a whole host of ppl.

Where to begin! (i'll leave out the horrible weather part) I guess I'll start with the thanks:

Many thanks go out to:

1. Brett Eisenhauer, Parks Bonifay, Austin Langston & Robb Reid from Global Boarding, and Matt Hickman from Wakeboarding Magazine for all braving the weather and coming to New Jersey for our first real wakeboarding event! Many props to you all for being such awesome guests and for giving us a great show to watch as well as hanging out and letting us chat with you. we really appreciate it!!

2. All of the NJ riders crew that helped put this event together and make it a reality! Great job to everyone! We hit it off and it was an important milestone in the sport of wakeboarding for our area! Jeff Barton as well, you really came through with the Pro's as well as sponsors offering swag! We are very lucky to have an individual with such an industry presence as you do live in New Jersey and help make this happen!

3. All of the sponsors that offered great swag for the raffles and giveaways! A lot of people left our event with sick gear and a smiling face!

4. The dealers that showed up with some pretty sweet rides to look at

5. Last but not least, all of the area riders, far and near that came to the event, stuck it out through the rain and made the event a great success!

P.S. I also want to thank REDBULL for the appearance and free Redbull's!! I am stocked!

I also wanted to get a ride in, (esp. behind Robb Reid's X-Star and try out Austin's CWB Abs. Plat. & Zeus set up) but stayed ashore the whole day, what a lamer I am!!

What's up Jersey crew!!! I just want to send out a big props and thank you to you guys down there. We had a great time riding the Delaware at the 1st Annual NJ Wakefest, and the rain didn't hold us back one bit. Thanks for putting on a super fun event, and giving out some killer shwag. I'm looking forward to next year! If anyone is looking for a tow up here on the north shore of Long Island, give me a shout. PEACE!!!

Despite the weather and long train ride, it was an awesome event and I send props to everyone that made it happen. Thanks again for putting everything together and bringing surreal sponsors to the event. Much appreciated.

If I didn't say it before, I always feel that wakeboarders are some of the most generous and friendly people out there and the Wakefest confirmed that all the way.

It was great meeting everyone!! Next year, it will be all sunny without a breeze, I swear!

It was a great time at wake fest. It was especially great for the riders that are less fortunate to ride off a tower. The day couldn't have gone better. The people were great. Thanks to people like Gavin. Is there a picture of the group going to be posted anywhere?

Brian....you have mail! The pic of Parks & Anthony came out great! It's definately worth framing for sure!

I also would like to thank those who helped with this event. But I'm going to start with the not so obvious and the hard work that goes into an event like this.

From helping to put up banners at the site and getting it ready for this great event to helping build the stage and at the end breaking it down for Jeff to work the mic and get the crowd going. Jim B, you rule!

The effortless long hard hour of Kevin & Brian trying to get that generator going again and finally fixing it.

Dave for keeping post at the food court. I saw him for a total of 15 mins all day!

Ryan & Kaitlyn for making sure people were forever opening thier wallets for raffles and event shirts!

Justin, Michele and alot of the others that helped with the setup at the site.

Jeff B...we are thankful for all of the people you know in this great industry and the connections you have for what and who you brought to this event.

Last but not least...I would like to especially thank Alex for all the weeks of up front work and the ton of phone calls that went into getting the sponsors on board for the free swag donated to make this great event a memorable one. Hard work and labor, as well as what seemed liked endless trips to the site before hand to map and plan it all out from where the stage would go, to making sure there was room for every last sponsor banner he was sent.

Thank you Alex...your hard work and passion for this event was much appreciated!!

Alex, Doreen, David, Justin & Michele thank you all for everything! You folks took in the outsiders and made us feel at home...Thanks again!

We had one hell of a day despite the weather, can't wait for round two. Thanks to P.B. for pullin' that lucky ticket which landed me my new deck, by the way...Connor, this time next year you should be able to show me some moves on that new skate of yours!!, Nice Grab along with the other stick & bindings!

Again to the people of NJ, Thank You! I couldn't of asked for a better extended weekend/vacation

Wow...it's so different reading the posts when there is a face to put to the screen names! I am sitting in my office looking outside at the pool that it overlooks...thinking...might be fun to sneak in some time and try some stuff if I had a winch...Only knee deep but it's funny how the wakeboarding mind works.

Kelly, it was great to meet you last saturday. You are definitely a very dedicated wakeboarder, we were glad to have you attend the wakefest! (For those who didn't know, Kelly took the train down from Boston to NJ just to come to our event.)

I was surprised myself that they asked me to do the interview and jumped at the chance. It's funny seeing myself now~ I am nowhere near the level of riding of any of the riders out there but dedication I have...

As soon as someone shuts the sky somehow here in Boston, I am on my next quest for a pull~~

Hello All! Sorry it's taken me a few days to recover from all the entertaining surrounding our Wakefest event! I'm just starting to feel like my old self!

Props out to everyone who came out to Wakefest last weekend. While I am proud to have been part of the organizational crew, it was the assembled crowd that truly made the event the success that it was. With weather that crappy we had every reason to abandon the day, but everyone went forward undeterred and it was a great day! The energy was fantastic and the stoke everyone shared was infectious!

Alex, Doreen and Connor: great job with the stage, sound, and the creation of our social hub.

Dave, you and your family did a great job on the grill and grub! It was a dicey proposition cooking food in the torrential downpour and you pulled it off well. Emeril would have been impressed.

Jim, Bryan and KG, nice sugical procedure you guys performed on the generator! Without you guys we would have had a significant hole in our event.

I was so happy to meet as many new faces in the world of wakeboarding. Kelly, congrats on your profile here on wakeworld! That's got to make you feel good. And look at how humble you are- not a mention of it to anyone.

Congrats go out to all of our raffle winners, even Connor, who took homw about a $1000 worth of gear! A nice haul for a pre teen!

PArks and Ike were impressed with the event as well. In fact, the rain helped prove how dedicated our group is to moving wakeboarding forward in our region. They know that bad weather usually drives people away from an event and they couldn't believe that everyone not only stayed but the positive attitude flowed all around our festival area.

Just like others of you out there, my wheels are already turning in preparation of our next event.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that made this possible. I have been thinking about that weekend everyday. Makes me want to ride instead of work. I would love to do this again any time. I must admit Jeff B is one of the most passionate MC's I have ever seen. well thank you hope to see everyone again. Hay Jeff Lank I know will be riding in Sea isle this week end no matter what. peace.

Hey I've got a big question/favor to ask of anyone on here. I'm loking for a nail gun with compressor and hose to borrow for a couple of weeks, so I can finish framing a lot quicker with the remodeling of my house. I'd be more than happy to float a few bucks your way, would just buy my own but I'm only putting up a total of about 10-11 walls, so it's not really cost effective to get one right now. If anyone has one shoot me an email at russmorrell@hotmail.com, or call me at 215-219-4738 Thanks

That is a very generous offer Dave...an offer that we will have to take you up on, of course...Especially considering we move in to our place in Hamilton this Friday. Perfect timing...we'll be right near the ramp. We love riding after work during the week, no one is out there and the river is glass. Plus, it gives us something to look forward to at the end of a long work day.

On a different topic, the San bar marina is hosting a wakeboard clinic with Gerry Nunn. Dates are June 30, July 1, July 2. Location is Lake Hopatcong. Cost is $75.00 for 1/2 day session. Great idea, but keep in mind it's on a busy holiday weekend, so if anyone is thinking of going, shoot for friday June 30th. The weekends up there are a zoo.

Well, it's been about two weeks since I last posted anything here and I think I have A LOT to get caught-up on!

First, The Wakefest. It was pretty amazing, wasn't it? Yes, the weather was crap, but over-all I think it was a great day, and I truly believe that everyone who attended left happy. Yes, I made a few mistakes here and there in my planning, but I've learned from those over-sights and they'll never recur. One of the mistakes I made was leaving my camera batteries at home. I bought a $20 sleeve of batteries so I'd absolutely not run out, but like a goof I left the entire sleeve at 60 Sylvia. Thus, I'd be REALLY appreciative if everyone who has pictures can email me everything they have. I'd really like to have ALL the event pictures in one big pile and then sort through them all. Please email everything you have to akinon@optonline.net

I did get a few pictures however. Here's one of me, Brett and Parks. I clearly had just come in out of the rain!

Here's one of Parks and Maryland wakeboarder Deb Haggart. Look closely at the far left edge.

Finally, here's one of JB working the mic. I like this one because it shows the stage and the banners.

The Monday night huckfest sounds like a great plan Dave. Sadly, I'll never be in attendance.

There's a new guy writing nonsequiturs and other nonsense on www.sidewayz.com His pen name is Captain Greenhead. He's new and he hasn't written much yet, but he's already given the June 3rd Wakefest a plug. I suggest you keep and eye on www.sidewayz.com and Captain Greenhead's ramblings.

This weekend is supposed to be the nicest weekend of the year, and of course, I have to work until 4:00pm on Saturday. I know Sunday is Father's Day, but Doreen and I are looking for a third. We'll be pushing off from 60 Sylvia around 1:00pm if anyone's interested.

Similar to what JB wrote in regards to the wakefest, it's taken several days to recover and get back to my old self. But just about all of the wakefest's loose ends are finally getting buttoned-up now, and my world is slowly getting back to normal. (well, as "normal" as my world can get anyway! )

Hay Dave me and Jeff L where at the wakefest on gavin's boat. Were you there with your boat. Also Mr. barton is there anymore pictures going up anywhere from the winners of the raffles or anything else from the event you snapped.

I just signed up for the June 30th am clinic. It sounds like a great way to start the fouth of July weekend. Alex...Are you going out on the boat this Saturday? I have a wedding to attend in the afternoon...but would like to hit it up in the morning some time. Let me know if you are interested....

I'd join you sunday, but we'll be camping/boating in Mays Landing this weekend (and almost every weekend this summer). Going to try out the Great Egg Harbor river. We still need to get "our group" together on the delaware river soon. Pick-out a saturday morning.

Jim, let's pick a friday in july and hit Blue Marsh lake. Russ, George, Eustace, Alex, Justin, Michele, Doreen, Woody, Kevin, JB, open invites to all you guys. I'll volunteer the Maristar to take you guys out.

Ok, no computer for me this weekend, so I'll see some of you at Bordentown monday between 4-8pm. You should all have my cell # by now.

I called the San Bar Marina in Lake Hopatcong to inquire about the Gerry Nunn wakeboard clinic and I was told that all four sessions are fully booked. Then, since I had the owner of the marina on the line I shmoozed a bit. We had a good conversation covering many differnt aspects of wakeboarding, one of whic was putting on an event. This will be his third year doing the Gerry Nunn wakeboard clinic, he's a Malibu dealer so it's all arranged through Malibu, he says he's lost money on it every year but he keep donig it anyway. I told him about our June 3rd event and seemed genuinely impressed. He then went-on to express an interest in putting-on an INT style amateur event, but he'd help. He says he has three marinas right on the water, he has plenty of parking space and room to set-up tents. As a man of vision with one wakebarding event now under my belt, this was all sounding quite compelling. I plan to make a trip out to San Bar Marina sometime in the near future to press the flesh, shmooze in person and to check everything out. Pretty cool, huh?

Doreen and I have secured a third (and a fourth!) for this Sunday and we're looking forward to a good day out in Turtle Cove.

Yo all hows things. So I haven't written since the event but I second and third and fourth everything written so far and say I had a great time regardless of the weather, nice work Alex.

Dave-I don't think that I got a chance to meet you at the event, but I am always looking for a pull. So if I'm welcome I'll bring gas $, beers, whatever's necessary for a good day on the water.

Also to whoever it was that I rode home with on the train from the event into the city. We got split up at one point and I never got a name and contact info. So if you see this man, send me a post or give me a call. 541 619 4946

Dave we'll be there! After a full 3 days of painting the new place, we def. need a break and do some boarding!. I'll call you in the afternoon. I get off at 5, I can be at the ramp around 5:20. Michele will be there earlier, she has an orientation meeting at Rutgers for her new job, half day sort of.

Justin / Michele....hows the new place coming along? Kevin, Karen, Alex and I were thinking about you guys this weekend. Let us know if you need any help! And we need the new address for the Christmas card list...hehehe, send us an email.

Hi to everyone!!! Let's try for a weekend in July to get the crew together. Boats and all! Dave & Kyle, Brian, Annette & Anthony, Justin & Michele, Jeff B, Russ, JimB, Kevin & Karen, Alex, Connor, & Doreen and who ever else I missed. It was an excellant event but didn't quite make our goal yet of getting everyone on the water for a day of fun wakeboarding.

Anyone up for “The Turtleshoe Two-County Challenge”??? Alex and I devised this beauty up yesterday after our session in Turtle cove...the tides align perfect and the day is correct, would go something like this... This Sat, early/mid morning session at Alex's in TurtleCove, then cleanup/packup and hit the road to Avalon for an afternoon/evening session in the horseshoe. Finish at my place in Avalon with pizza and beer! This is a loose Itinerary... 7:30am - Alex's 8 -12:30pm Turtle Cove 12:30 -1:30pm Cleanup 1:30 - 2:30pm Travel to Avalon 3:30 - 8pm Horseshoe 8 - 9pm cleanup 8:30 - ? Pizza beer chat cigars...

I already heard from Doug... so the attendees so far are Alex, Doreen, Kevin, Karen, Doug...anyone else up for a solid day of wakeboarding?

I will keep my eyes peeled for a date to pop up for a Turtle cove get-down in a few weeks. that sounds like a darn good schedule, a two-fer!

I wanted to thank Woody for the Father's Day pull he hooked me up with! The wake was perfect and the weather was beautiful. It was a great way to start a great day! Thanks again and I look forward to riding with you more.

So who's ready to start planning our second wakefest of the season? Besides me?

Well I will always throw my name into the hat KG. I am totally down. Being trapped in this city has got me going stir crazy, I haven't ridden at all yet this year. So if you've got room, let me know Peace